And all through the house

The tree in my Grandmother room.  It sits in a dry sink, the samplers behind the tree tell the story of Grandmother Bessie and the Shultz family.  All the ornaments are hand made and also include family history.  1885, the date stitched on some of the ornaments is the year Grandmother Sarah Miranda moved from North Carolina to Tennessee.

Another dough bowl of smalls--Elizabeth is another Grandmother.

The long stocking is the sampler stocking a design by Carriage House.

More ornaments on the Grandmother tree.  Yep another kitty--I come from a long line of cat lovers.

Recognize this--it's a Liberty Hill Christmas box.  

and that carrier in the lower right hand corner--another Liberty Hill Christmas box.  

Decking the Halls

The blog has been quiet for a few days but life at Thistle Manor has been a bee hive of activity.  Fall is one of my favorite seasons and I purposely wait until after Thanksgiving to begin decorating for Christmas.  This is one tradition I hope I never change.  One of the things I love about this Christmas tree--the decorations are either gifts from friends or ornaments collected through the years.

Ahh two of my favorite ornaments--a stripped kitty like Miss Callie Mae and a rocking chair similar to one at Grandmother Bessie's.

Each year the mantel is decorated with the nutcrackers and bottle brushes.  The nutcracker story and ballet and music is another one of our favorite Christmas traditions.

I love Christmas smells!  Each year I try to dry fruit and the house smells wonderful.  I have had the dried pomegranates for years.

Being a prim lover--the Charlie Brown feather tree is waiting for more baskets.  The small baskets are challenging to find and pricey.

A dough bowl of smalls.

Miss Christmas angel keeping watch.

My non-blooming Christmas cactus.  Yes, I did all the wrong things which is why it isn't blooming.  Grrrr

This idea came from interest--it is candles set in coffee beans, the warmth of the candles heats up the coffee beans and it smells like fresh roasted coffee.  

(More photos to come, no need to overdo everyone with one post).

Starbright Cottage

Yes, Liberty Hill aka Carolyn has once again dipped into her paints and the result is Starbright Cottage.  The cottage has a removable roof and stitching necessities can be stored inside. 

Oh AppleJack you can add this is to my Christmas list, it will look wonderful sitting under our Christmas tree.

Signature Quilt

Quilt history reports that signature or memory quilts were very popular with Victorian quilters in the mid 1800's.  In the USA, since the days of families moving west as pioneers, signature quilts have been given as gifts by families and groups of friends for special occasions:  a leave taking, a birthday, an anniversary, a new baby, a retirement, or other special occasion.

There are blocks that are especially useful for signing with blank areas in the block.  Permanent pens are used or sometimes embroidery for the signature.  Ironing freezer paper on the back of the fabric makes it easier to sign the fabric and keep it from shifting.



I made this signature quilt a few years ago.  Since I have been learning about Grandmother Bessie's family I thought I would incorporate the women in Grandmother Bessie's life.


Potential Names:

Maria Eva Stocker
Juliana Stentz
Barbara Ann Emert
Hannah Lindsey
Sarah D Evans
Laura Jane Noland
Kittie D Shults, sister
Maggie E Shults
Bessie Ann Shults
Bonnie Shults
Allie Belle Shults
Juanita McFall
Helen McFall
Jackie Ruth McFall
Ersabelle Price
Clara Ann Price
Loris Jane Price
Shirley Price
Margaret Messamore
Patricia Jane Price
Betty Price
Linda Gail Price
Sarah Miranda Plemons
Mattie Atchley
Maggie Rector
Birdie Noland
Isabell Cardwell
Lillie Rayfield
Sallie Branam
Nora Roberts
Alice Shields
Sarah Kerley
Angie Ensor
Rebeccca Scandlyn
Sarah Price
Ellen Price
Carrington Amos
Kiersten
Margaret Ferguson
Anna Dee Noland
Fannie Noland
Belle Noland
Sophie Margaretta
Elizabeth

Mrs Tilley
Mrs Brock
Mrs Jefferson
Mrs Kyle
Mrs Stamper

Hazel
Mildred Denton
Dorothy Lowe
Billie Ann Gage

There are Grandmothers, Mothers, Sisters, Sister-in-laws, Grandchildren, neighbors and cherished friends.  Women who were all a part of Grandmothers life.

In the Spring there is a flower. . .

As Buffalo, New York digs out from 7' (seven feet) of snow and prepares for rain and flooding, I have been preparing Next Year, the garden for spring 2015.

There have been leaves to rake.

Spirea which was long past due on a good hard pruning.

Our vegetable garden is due for a double dig and addition of compost.

Perennials to deadhead.

and bulbs to be planted.

One way I try to work off some of the Thanksgiving calories is fall gardening.  I'm sure I consume many more calories than I burn.  One of my favorite gardening activities is planting spring bulbs.  Grandmother Bessie would say "they won't bloom in the package."  I sure hope my gardening legs hold out for all the bulbs I have purchased which need to be planted.

Carmel Crispix Mix

6 cups Crispix cereal
4 cups pretzels (checkerboard style or heart shaped)
2 cups mixed nuts
1 stick of butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
4 tablespoons Karo syrup

Mix cereal, pretzels and nuts together

Place butter, brown sugar and Karo syrup in a microwave bowl or use a sauce pan on the stove.  Heat and bring to a boil for one (1) minute.

Pour over the dry mix and stir to coat evenly.  (Use two 9 x 13 pans)

Bake at 250 for 20 minutes (stir once)

Let cool and break apart

Eat up!  Yum Yum

AppleJack is my official taster and he gives this recipe a thumbs up.  It is super easy to make and delicious. 

Homespun Gathering Reunion

When my favorite needlework store and my favorite shop in the whole wide world closed in 2005, the girls could just not accept not gathering with each other as they had done for years. 

 So. . . they put their heads together and came up with the idea of having a reunion.  Several times a year (between four and five) the girls gather together and do all the fun things they did at Homespun. 

The public library has a large meeting room with a kitchen and space can be reserved. 

                       There is always an air of excitement.

 The room is often filled with ooohhh's and aahh's and squeals as a beautifully finished piece of needlework, or a quilt, a hooked rug or a needle punch is shared.

 Ideas abound with talk of designs and linen choices and fiber colors are discussed.  I am always amazed at the creativity and skill in the finished projects.

For me, the Gathering is so much more.  This group of women has known each other for years and have shared the good and not so good of their lives:  marriages/divorces, births/deaths, loss of a job and new jobs, travels, antics of their four legged fur children and embarrassing moments.

 Delicious food and recipe sharing abounds.   The room is filled with laughter sometimes tears, hugs and words of encouragement.  AppleJack says it's the best therapy.  The group is well traveled and knowledgeable of current and world events but find discussing retreats, and upcoming markets and designs much more productive.

               Gathering Reunions--let the good times roll!